UN Radio: Annan Calls for Comprehensive Approach to Justice and Rule of Law
Annan Calls for Comprehensive Approach to Justice and Rule of Law
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for a comprehensive approach to justice and the rule of law. The
Secretary-General said the Security Council has a heavy responsibility to promote justice and the rule of law in its
efforts to maintain international peace and security. He said the United Nations has learned that the rule of law is not
a luxury and that justice is not a side issue.
Rather he added, UN action must be based in the Charter, UN standards for human rights and the administration of
justice:
"But a one-size fits all approach does not work. Local actors must be involved from the start -- local justice sector
officials and experts from government civil society, and the private sector. We should, wherever possible, guide rather
than direct, and reinforce rather than replace."
The Secretary-General made his comments to a ministerial meeting of the Security Council on the UN's role in justice and
the rule of law.
Iraqi People Should Assume Control of their Political Destiny: Pakistan
Debate is continuing in the UN General Assembly on matters of national, regional and global concern. During debate
Wednesday, Pakistan called for a clear consensus on ways to restore Iraq's stability, security and sovereignty.
President Pervez Musharraf told the Assembly that Iraq cannot be allowed to remain an open wound:
"This will impact on the region and could inject a new dimension to the campaign against terrorism and extremism. The
consensus evolved must enable the Iraqi people, through an inclusive political process, to determine the sequence of
steps leading to a fully representative Iraqi government and an end to occupation."
President Musharraf said the Iraqi people should assume control of their resources and political destiny as soon as
possible. Reform of the Security Council needed: St.Lucia
St. Lucia has called for the completion of efforts at reforming the United Nations Security Council. This, it says, is
to better reflect the realities of this new century and to make the Council more representative, more democratic,
legitimate and transparent. Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony:
"The existing veto system is too easily influenced by national interests to address serious issues afflicting humankind.
If a coalition of the willing could be assembled for war, then surely we can also gather a coalition of the willing to
address the problems of poverty disease, illiteracy, hunger and trade imbalances."
Prime Minister Anthony said there can be no sanitizing of one corner of the globe while despair, contagion and
desperation fester elsewhere.
African Nations Rising to Challenge of Resolving Internal Conflicts
The President of Ghana says African nations are rising to the challenge of resolving the continent's internal conflicts.
President John Kufuor told the General Assembly however, that the continent suffers massive shortcomings in finance and
technological resources. President Kufuor, who is also chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, also
appealed for more resources to enable the sub-region to consolidate the peace and normalization process:
"It might be necessary to stress that in some instances within the sub-region, post conflict peace building efforts have
failed, mainly because the problems entailed were not addressed in a systematic, sustained and holistic manner."
President Kufuor said such problems include disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants into the
society.
The Weak of the World Look to the UN to Advance their Collective Interests: South Africa South Africa has warned that the world is confronted by global challenges that the United Nations cannot solve.
President Thabo Mbeki said the disempowered of the world continue to look to the UN because they understand they're too
weak to advance their interests outside the collective voice of the United Nations:
"The poor of the world expect an end to violence and war everywhere. They want an end to the killing that is taking too
many Israeli and Palestinian lives. They want the Africans to stop killing one another, continuing to convey the message
that we are incapable of living at peace among ourselves."
President Mbeki said they desire the realisation of the universal democratic objective - that the people shall govern.